Politics
Bauchi: PDP, APC Trade Blames Over Attack On Party Loyalists
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council in Bauchi State has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for allegedly attempting to harm the life of their governorship candidate, Sadique Abubakar.
During a press conference at the Nigerian Union of Journalists secretariat in Bauchi, the Campaign Council’s Director of Media and Publicity, Salisu Barau, made the allegations public.
Senator Barau was reacting to the Director General of the PDP Campaign Council, Farouk Mustapha’s press conference regarding an attack on the APC governorship candidate’s rally in Duguri.
The attack, which occurred in Governor Bala Mohammed’s hometown on Wednesday, reportedly resulted in one fatality and 15 injuries from gunfire and machete attacks.
The incident took place just five hours after seven out of the nine gubernatorial candidates met at Bauchi State Police Headquarters to sign a peace accord ahead of the governorship and State Assembly elections.
The APC gubernatorial candidate, who was absent from the peace accord signing ceremony, was represented by his running mate.
Following the violent attack, Farouk Mustapha, accused the APC and its candidate of being responsible alleging that Sadique Abubakar, the immediate past Chief of Air Staff, led thugs belonging to his camp and party to unleash terror on the governor’s kinsmen and also destroyed PDP billboards.
Mustapha called the incident one of the saddest days in the political history of Bauchi State.
He said, “All gubernatorial candidates of various political parties in the state were at the State Police Headquarters with all the security agencies to sign a peace accord as has been the practice in every election season.
“However, the candidate of the APC was conspicuously absent with only his deputy in attendance, showing no respect for the peace and harmony to reign in Bauchi State.
“To our dismay, while the candidates were signing the peace accord, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, took a campaign tour to Duguri town, the hometown of His Excellency, Senator Bala Mohammed, who doubles as the sitting governor as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming election.
“Shockingly, the candidate moved to Duguri with thousands of thugs, conventional and non-conventional, who were well armed to the brim. As usual by his antecedents, looking at what happened during his last campaigns in Akuyam in Misau Local Government Area and also in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, where they shot to death about three people with no any kind of investigation or bringing the perpetrators to book.”
In reaction, the APC Campaign Director Media and Publicity, Salisu Ahmad, claimed that three people from their team were shot and wounded, and added that this was not the first attempt on the life of their principal.
He said, “There is no doubt that the ruling People’s Democratic Party in Bauchi state have already lost the forthcoming governorship elections, hence the desperation exhibited in handling all matters concerning the All Progressives Congress and all its candidates, particularly Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
“The unfortunate developments cannot be divested from Governor Bala Mohammed’s penchant for inciting the youth in his public addresses at most of his campaign tour, notably at Dass where he publicly charged his supporters to be violent against whoever constitutes a threat to his re-election bid in the same manner he did in 2019 during his content against the former Governor Mohammed Abubakar.
“We categorically say no to dirty politics and violence as we call on all people of Bauchi State to maintain peace and stay focused on saving our dear State from all evils, as always preached by Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar.” he added.
Politics
Edo State Governor Appoints Six New Officials To Key Roles
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced the appointment of six new officials to pivotal positions within his administration, effective from November 15, 2024.
The announcement was made public on Friday in a communiqué signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor.
The newly appointed officials bring a wealth of experience to their roles and include: Dr. Emmanuel Iyamu as Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
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Dr. Iyamu, an accomplished academic and business leader, holds a Doctorate in Petroleum Resources and an MBA. Prior to his appointment, he served as the CEO of Gabbem Integrated Services Ltd.
Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehi as Managing Director of the State Waste Management Board. Enehita-Inegbenehi is a seasoned professional with expertise in human resources and leadership.
He previously led multiple businesses, including JEI Visions Service Apartments and JEI Visions Iron Metals.
CP Friday Ibadin (retd.) as Corps Commander of the Edo State Security Corps Governance. A former Commissioner of Police with international experience, including an assignment with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, Ibadin is renowned for his security expertise.
Stainless Ijeghede as Managing Director of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency. Ijeghede, a mechanical engineer, previously worked in the petroleum sector with Shell Petroleum, focusing on well engineering and safety.
Lucky Eseigbe as Managing Director of the Edo State Public Building and Maintenance Agency. A legal expert with an LL.B and LL.M from Ambrose Alli University, Eseigbe has vast experience in legislative consulting and legal advising.
Emmanuel Ehidiamen Okoebor as Commissioner for Finance-designate. With over 25 years in the banking industry, Okoebor has held senior roles, including Assistant General Manager at United Bank for Africa (UBA).
He is also a registered member of COREN and the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Politics
#OndoDecides2024: INEC Updates Candidates’ List With LP’s Olorunfemi
As the build up to the Ondo State’s off season gubernatorial election continues, the umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has updated the list of contestants by adding the Labour Party’s Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus.
The umpire made the disclosure on Friday in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, where it made it clear that it was acting in compliance with an order of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.
The statement was issued under the subject, ‘update on the list of candidates for the 2024 Ondo governorship election’.
It reads, “The Commission was yesterday 14th November 2024 served with the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement of the Court of Appeal which set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja Division. The FHC, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024 had on 27th September 2024 ordered the Commission to accept Olusola Ebiseni as the candidate of the Labour Party for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election.
“However, in the appeal with reference number CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024 filed by the Labour Party, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division struck out the judgement of the FHC for lack of jurisdiction.
“In obedience to the court order, the Commission has restored Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus, whose name was first published as the Labour Party candidate for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election and uploaded same to our website for public information.”
Politics
Adeleke Rejigs Climate Change Team
In the quest to ramp up the push against the negative effects of climate change, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has approved changes in the leadership of the state’s climate change team.
Consequently, Gov Adeleke directed the abolition of the office of Senior Special Assistant on Climate Change and the redeployment of the SSA on Climate Change, Prince Moruf Adedapo, out of the sub sector to the pool of SSAs.
To add bite to the changes, Gov Adeleke also directed the movement of the office of the consultant to the state on climate change and renewable energy from the Ministry of Environment to the Governor’s Office.
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Biztellers reports that with the changes, the consultant, Prof Chinwe Obuaku will henceforth be reporting to Gov Adeleke directly.
A government statement underpins these to “a strategy to give bite to the administration’s push to fast track implementation of adaptation and mitigate climate actions”.
As part of the leadership reforms, Gov Adeleke further directed that liaison between the state government and federal agencies as well as development partners on climate matters should be coordinated by the state consultant.
It was gathered that stakeholders would henceforth be relating with the state consultant on climate related matters as the office of SSA on Climate Change no longer exists.